Collective bargaining law works; SB5 repeal should stay on ballot

Should Ohio’s public employees compromise on Senate Bill 5 to keep it off the November ballot? In my opinion, no. I am a retired teacher writing as an individual.

Gov. John Kasich emphatically expressed his disrespect for public employees in his infamous tirade directed at a police officer, calling him an “idiot” because the officer had stopped him for violating an Ohio traffic law. In the overreach of SB5, the governor and the state legislators have disrespected entire professions: educators, police, firefighters and many other public employees.

The 1983 collective bargaining law for public employees has worked well. Public employee strikes, common in the 1960s and ‘70s, have been virtually eliminated. Concessions are common: “North Canton school board approves teachers’ contract” (April 29, 2011), “Osnaburg teachers accept concessions in new contract” (May 18, 2011). Many other districts have negotiated similar mutually beneficial contracts.

Voters in our area have supported this responsible bargaining by approving renewal levies and even some new ones.

Gov. Kasich wants to compromise now because he realizes SB 5 will be soundly defeated in November, and that may impact his political future. If there are issues that require a second look, they can be negotiated within the guidelines of the original 1983 collective bargaining law.

Also, our public schools in Stark County continue to make great strides toward our common goal of excellence in education (”Stark schools make the grade on state report cards,” Aug. 24).